Anaeropharma Science, Japan, has developed novel genetically enhanced bacteria to fight tumours. The company’s lead product APS001F is based on an obligate anaerobic bacterium. Bifidobacterium longum can only proliferate in the hypoxic core of solid tumours, where it secretes the enzyme cytosine deaminase turning a systemically administered prodrug into a cytotoxic agent, which hollows out the tumour from the inside.
The company is currently conducting a Phase Ib/IIa trial of APS001F in patients with advanced solid tumours in the United States. The investment of US$13.2m (€11.6m) will strengthen a Japanese leader in the microbiome sector. Anaeropharma will use the financing to accelerate the development of multiple programmes based on its proprietary platform technology.
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Microbiome investment in Japan
VATIS UPDATE Part
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